Feed control for strip dispenser



Aug. 26, 1958 T. H. KRUEGER FEED CONTROL FOR STRIP DISPENSER FiledApril 1. '1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVENTOR.

T. H. Krueger Fig. l.

JTTORNEY-S' 8- 1958 1'. H.- KRUEGER 2,849,067

FEED CONTROL FOR STRIP DISPENSER 5 Sheets- Sheet 2 Filed April 1, 1955Fig. 2.

Fig; 3.

INVENTOR. I

T. H. Krueger %ww4 fiat ATTORNEYS Aug. 26, 1958 T. H. KRUEGE'R 2,849,067

FEED comer. FOR STRIP DISPENSER Filed April 1, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3INVLVIOR T. H. Krueger ATTORNEYS Aug. 26, 1958 T. H. KRUEGER FEEDCONTROL FOR STRIP DISPENSER Filed April 1, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR. T. H. Krueger Mr? W JTTORNE Y5 United States Patent Ofiiice2,849,067 FEED CONTROL FOR STRIP DISPENSER Theodore H. Krueger,Stratford, Conn., assignor to Better Packages Incorporated, acorporation of New York Application April 1, 1955, Serial No. 498,697

7 Claims. (Cl. 164-49) of the machine, a device is tripped, which startsthe machine and causes it to feed a second piece of tape ofthe samelength as the first. This remains suspended in the machine until it iswithdrawn, which again causes the machine to cycle. This type of machineis very usefulwhere numerous identical packages are being sealed whichrequire the same length piece of tape. No time is Wasted' as the machineis started automatically as soon as the operator removes the alreadysevered piece for application to the box. At the same time or a piece oftape being delivered before the previous piece has been used as mightoccur if a continuously cycling machine were employed.

Another advantage of this type of machine is that the tape after beingfed and moistened and suspended has a slight period of time for the gumto become conditioned While the operator is applying the previouslysevered strip, so that the gum on each strip is in a more tackycondition and may be more easily and firmly applied than if useddirectly as served by the machine. This conditioning period coincideswith the period during which the operator is applying the previous stripof tape so that there is no loss of time. The machine of said patent canbe adjusted so that it will deliver a chosen length within the limits ofthe machine, but this adjustment operation is a relatively slow manualoperation performed when the machine is stopped. The machine is intendedto be set for a given length and such length delivered for many cycles.

In sealing most cartons it is desirable to use more than one piece oftape, the different pieces being of different lengths to fit thediflierent joints being sealed. For example, the most customaryarrangement, and in fact that required for standard cartons by rules ofthe Interstate Commerce Commission requires the two cross seams at thetop ends of the box to be sealed by two pieces of tape of equal length,a third and longer piece of tape being applied lengthwise of the box toseal the joint between the two box flaps. The type of machine shown inPatent No. 2,405,790 is not well adapted for serving tape for this kindof a sealing operation, because it can feed rapidly only one length oftape for a particular setting. In accordance with the present inventioncontrol devices are provided by which tape pieces of different lengthsare successively fed in proper rotation, the removal of each piececausing the machine to cycle to serve a piece of the proper length forthe next operation. For example, the machine can be arranged to feed twoshort pieces of there is no danger 2,849,067 Patented Aug. 26, 1 958tape for the transverse corners of the box, and then feed a long piecefor the longitudinal joint of the box, the sequence being automaticallyrepeated.

The control means of the present invention may be utilized with any kindof a feed mechanism either mechanically or electrically operated, whichcan be so arranged as to feed successive pieces of tape'of diflFerentlengths. For example, the control device may be used with a machinecapable of delivering various lengths of tape by closing of differentswitches, as disclosed in patent to Beckman and Dodds, No. 2,408,363.The control device can very satisfactorily be applied to an improvedform of the machine shown in said patent known commercially asTape-O-Matic No. 2, manufactured by Better Packages, Inc., of Shelton,Connecticut. The construction and operation of such machine is fullydisclosed in an application for patent, filed March 30, 1955 by T.LeBaron and E. B. Dodds, Serial No. 497,884, for Electrically ControlledStrip Serving Machine, and the invention has been illustrated as appliedto such machine.

In the accompanying drawings which show one preferred embodiment of theinvention:

Figure l is a view partly in side elevation and partly in verticalsection of a Tape-O-Matic No. 2 machine with one form of the improvedcontrol unit applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a front view of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a part of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the control unit taken on line44 of Fig. 2;

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Figure 6 is an elevation of the control ratchet sleeve removed from themachine;

Figure 7 is a side elevation taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken on line 88 of Fig. 6;

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 6;

Figure 10 is a front elevation of the 2-key control unit;

Figure 11 isa schematic wiring diagram of the control circuitsassociated with the control unit; and

Fig. 12 is a complete wiring diagram the type described in said patentapplication, Serial No. 497,884, as modified to embody the presentinvention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, No. 2 machine as described in theLeBaronand Dodds patent application, Serial No. 497,884, comprises atape dispensing unit 20 adapted to be mounted on a bench or table. Atthe top of the unit is a receptacle in which is placed a roll of gummedtape 23. The tape strip 24 coming from the roll 23 passes downwardly andforwardly between guide plates and between feed rolls 25 and 25a. One,or both of these rolls, is driven from electric motor 26. The roll 25ais journaled on a shaft 27 in a yoke 28 which is pivoted on a pintle 29.The yoke is arranged to be swung downwardly so as to grip the tapebetween rolls and cause it to be fed, by means of a solenoid 30connected to the yoke 28 by a pull-rod 31. When the solenoid isde-energized the yoke is held in a raised position with the roll 25a outof gripping engagement with the tape on roll 25 by a spring 32. The tapestrip after being fed forward by the rolls is cut by a cutting blade 33adapted to be drawn down by means of a cutter solenoid 34 and urgedupwardly when the solenoid is de-energized by a spring 35.

After passing the cutter the a moistening brush (or plurality ofbrushes) 36 against which it is held by a weighted pressure plate 37.Preferably the tape on the way to the brush passes over the surface of aguide plate 38the ends of which are bent upwardly to form clips 39 bywhich it is supported tape strip 24 passes over of a machine of theTape-O-Matic 3 below the pressure plate. The moistening brushes 36 aremounted in a water tank 40.

Electrical or electronic means are provided for controlling the lengthof tape to be delivered at each cycle of the machine, such control meansbeing actuated in the Tape-O Matic No. 2 machine by means of key s orpush buttons, each key being arrangedto cause delivery of a specificoradjustedlength of-tape. One forrn ot mechanism for this purpose isdisclosed in the Beclit r riarr button 44, 46. One dial may beset forone length of;

tape," say a foot long, which may be used for sealing the shorterjointson the box, while the other dial may besetfor 'say two feet for sealingthe longitudinal seam. The operator presses 'one key or the other to getthe tape length which he 'needs. i

The control unit of the present invention is particularly applicable'to' a two length control of the character above described; Itprovidescycling means by which pieces of tape'of proper length aredelivered in correct sequence. In the particular exampl of the inventionillustrated the machineisset upto deliver two short pieces, one longpiece, two short pieces, one long piece, and so forth. Other"arrangements of the control unit may, however, be employedso as to givea diflerent sequence of strip lengths.

Control unit The switch mechanism for causing the delivery ofshort andlong .pieces of tape in propersequence' is mounted in ,a box 50 .whichis open atthebottom and which is' adjusta'bly mounted on a standard 52supportedin a socket 54 attached to the side of the main casing of themachine. Depending from the box is a trigger 56,

which extends across the,pathof the tape issuingfrom between themoistening brushes and pressure plate, The

front'of the pressure, platqimay be notched .at, 58 .to.

receive thistrigger, The standard is rotatablymounted in the sock et 54and is normally. held, against rotation by a pin ,60 fitting inanotch 62at the top of the socket.

It ,mayfbe locked in thegsocket by a thumb screw, 64.

when threading, the machine or cleaning the brushes, it is s'irnply,necssarytoloosenthe scre w.,64,; lift up the standardenough-toclearthepin from the notch 62 and swing the box to one side. Thesides 65 otthe box .50

are held together by spacing bolts 66; near the top corners and bolts 68part way down the sides. The. front, back and top ofthe box are made inthe form of a.U-shaped and supportedon the bolts 66;, Rivet heads.70project.

from the insides of the frontand backwalls and .snap. 68.; therebyremovably retaining. the

under the bolts U-shaped cover in place.

Pivoted .so .as to turnfreelyin holes. in the side walls 65 is a pindle72 .upon which is mounted for. free. rotation.

trigger 56 and'lever are swung to the dottedlineposition shown in Fig. 4by the advance of the strip of tape. and remainin that position.supportedby. thetapeas long as i the strip of tape is held between thebrush-and..pressure.

a lever 74 to which is fastened. the trigger .56; The.

plate, When the severed V strip of tape is removed, the lever andtrigger are returned to the position shown in full lines by a (201ispring 76 ,connected at one end to thek trigger and at the other .toone, of the bolts 68. Pivoted onthe, upperend of the lever f74 is a pawlmember. 78,. the'lower'corner' of which engages successivelythe teethcover 69-whichis dropped down .betweerrthebox sides If it is desired tornove the box out of the way as 82 of a ratchet wheel 84. The pawlswings past a tooth when the trigger is pushed'to the dotted lineposition, and engages the tooth and moves the ratchet wheel one notchwhen the strip of tape is withdrawn permitting the trigger to return tofull line position. The ratchet wheel 84 is mounted on a sleeve 86 whichalso carries toothed wheels 88 and 90. These wheels have differentnumbers and arrangements of teeth, depending upon the sequence of thelong and short stripsrto be delivered. The teeth on the wheel 88 engagea clapper 92 which is pivoted on the pintle 94 and normally restsbygravity against a stop rod 96. On the clapper is a lug 98 which isadapted to engage thespring blade 100 of a microswitch 102 which isattached to a plate 104, pivoted on a pintle 106. The position of themicro-switch may be adjusted about the pintle by means of an adjustingscrew 108 against which the plate 104 is held by a coil spring 110. Theposition of the switch is adjusted so that it will be closed at theproper time by engagement of the lug 98. Anotherclapper 1l2 engages theteeth on the wheel and operates a second micro-switch 114. To preventpossibility of the ratchet wheels being accidentally turned in thewrong. direction a pivoted pawl 118 may be used for engagement with aratchet wheel 119, fixed .onthe pintle 72 to which the sleeve 86 isfixed.

In the particular construction shown two short lengths of tape are to beserved followed by a long length. To accomplish this result, the firstmicro-switch-IOZ is connected in circuit with the short length deliveryswitch in the twolength control unit of the kind used in Tape- O-MaticNo. 2 machine and described in application, SeriahNo. 497,884; while thesecond micro-switch 114 is connected to the long length control switchof the tape dispensing unit. The wheel 88'has every third tooth omittedso thatit -presents' two teeth 89 followed by a space, then twomorevteeth followed by a space and so on. In the exampleshownthe wheel88 has six teeth while the driving ratchet wheel 84 .has nine teeth. Thewheel 90thas teeth-91 separated by two blank spaces. In the exampleshown it hasa total of three teeth, and is so fixed;to the sleeve 86that the teeth 91 on it are located oppositethe spaces between the pairsof teeth 89 on .wheel88. Withthis arrangement it will be seen that asthe ,sleeve isrotated step by step by the trigger ;operated ratchet, theclapper 92 will be operated twice in succession, thereby deliveringsuccessively two short lengths of tape. One of the teeth 91 on the wheel90 will nowbe in position to actuateclapper 112 so that the next timethe driving ratchet is operated the microswitch 114 will be closed,thereby delivering a long length of tape. This sequence oftwo shortlengths and one long length of tapewill continue indefinitely, eachlength of tapebeing delivered. as soon as the previously deliveredlength is removedfor application to the box.

The wiring diagrams, Figs. 11 and 12, show one way in which themicro-switches 102 and 114 may be connected to the two key units of thedispenser. As shown in the diagram the two key units each contains fourcontacts a, -b, c, and-d, and acontact operating relay 120. Themicro-switch 102 is, connected to the circuit of the short length switchrelay shown in the wiring diagram, while .the micro-switch 114 isconnected to the circuit of the-long length switch relay. The closing ofthe switch 102 will-therefore close contacts c and d of the short lengthcircuit, while switch 114 will close the corresponding contacts of thelong length'circuit. These circuits and thefeed and measuringinstrumentalitiescontrolled thereby arelike those. .used on theTape-O-Matic No. 2'machine, and fullydescribed in the LeBaron and Doddsapplication,,Serial No.- 497',884;. Briefly the connections shown inthewiring diagram include in the short length circuit a variab leresistor 122 operated by the pointer 44 and a compensating resistor 124having a screw driver adjustment In the long ,lengthcircuit is avariable .re- SlSI OTf IZ G operated by the pointer 46.1and acompenget-9,067

sating resistor 128. Also in the long length circuit is a manual switch130 by which an additional resistance 132 may be introduced by which adefinite increment may be added to the length of tape delivered when thelong length circuit is closed. For example the resistance 132 mayrepresent an added length of thirty inches, so that when the manualswitch 130 is opened this resistance is cut in and each piece deliveredby the long length circuit will be thirty inches longer than it wouldwith the resistance cut out. The connections from the two-length unitare connected to the main timing circuits including a timing thyratron134, all as described in said patent application, Serial No. 497,884.

Measurement of the tape depends upon the length of time that the feedrolls are held pressed together by the feed solenoid 30, the motor 26 bywhich the feed rolls are driven being of constant speed type. When oneof the switches 102 or 114 is closed the circuit through a feed solenoid30 is closed, thereby initiating the feed of the tape, and at the sametime electrical devices are prepared in such a way that after thepassage of the necessary interval to permit the desired length of tapeto be fed, the circuit through the solenoid 30 is broken, whereupon thefeed will immediately cease, and thereafter the cutter solenoid isactuated to cut off the piece of tape. The measuring system illustratedutilizes a tube 134, in the form of a three element miniature gas triodeor thyratron preferably of the cold cathode type. Connected to this is acapacitor 218. Each key and switch has associated with it a resistance(122, 126) corresponding with the appropriate time interval to feed thedesired short or long length of tape, and when the switch is closed thecircuit is closed through this resistance and the capacitor 218. Theamount of resistance determines the length of time it will take thecapacitor to build up a suflicient voltage. This voltage ionizes the gasand breaks-down the resistance between the anode and cathode of thethyratron, so as to cause the latter to fire.

In the typical schematic wiring diagram shown in Fig. 12, the leads 220may be plugged into any ordinary AC. power circuit, such as the usual117 volt lighting circuit. These leads are connected to the main switch182 from which wires 222 lead to the driving motor 26, while branchwires 224 lead to the feed solenoid 30 and cutter solenoid 34. Otherwires 226 lead from the main switch to the primary winding 228 of atransformer which has a secondary winding 232, which is a high voltagewinding, and provides rectified current for the control circuits througha suitable arrangement of resistors 234 and rectifiers 236. Filtercondensers 238 and 240 are also provided as needed, and the rectifiedcurrent is divided at the output of the last filter condenser 240 intotwo portions, one following the conductor 242 to relay battery for thecontrol relays, the other part of the current passing through conductor244 to the measuring circuits through the voltage regulating tube 246.

The thyratron is shown as having the usual cathode 25ft, anode 252 andcontrol electrode 254, A protective resistor 256 in series with thecontrol electrode limits the current flow through this element to a safevalue. A calibrating resistor 258 is also provided in connection withthe tube by which slight changes or adjustments in the overall timingvalues may be made to compensate for variables such as aging of variouscircuit elements and extremes of ambient temperature. By means of aconductor 268 a low value current is applied to the control element 254,as soon as the main switch of the apparatus is closed. The current flowfrom the control element to the cathode amounting only to a few microamperes, does not afiect the main gap of the tube. There is also novoltage applied to the anode at this time. This circuit path between thecontrol electrode and the cathode, which is closed whenever the machineis turned on but standing idle, causes a cloud of ions in the tube to beavailable whenever the machine is called on to measure tape. It greatlyreduces the inherent instability of the thyratron and causes the machineto deliver the same length of tape on the first operation after anextended idling period, as on succeeding operations.

in order to prevent interference by the premature operation of a keyduring a feeding cycle, and thereby prevent the feeding of a secondpiece of tape until the feed of a first piece of tape has beencompleted, a protective circuit and relay are provided to which all ofthe a contacts of the key relays are connected. If the condition of thecircuit is such that the machine is ready for initiation of a feedingcycle, this is determined upon the closing of the a contact, whereuponthe cycle continues. If the machine is not ready for operation, theclosure of that contact will not permit the cycle to proceed.

Movement of the key necessary to close the a contact need be veryslight. A slight further movement of the key will close the b contact ofthe key. If the protective circuit is clear this closes the circuit ofthe relay battery supply through the winding of the relay 120, whichcloses the 0 contact and finally the d contact.

Protective circuit The protective circuit includes relay 270 which isenergized through a wire 272 and contact 274 with power from therectified voltage wire 242. The contact 274 is normally open when notape feeding operation is taking place, but after the initiation of afeeding operation, it will be closed, as will be described below, andwill remain closed until a particular feeding cycle is completed,whereupon it will open again. The protective relay is also provided witha locking circuit including a conductor 2755 which is connected to allof the a contacts and also to a contact 276. The contact 276 is normallyopen but if the relay has been energized due to the fact that thecontact 274 has been closed, then, when an a contact is closed, thecircuit will be established from the a contact through the conductor 275and the contact 276, which will keep the relay 27d) energized so long asthe a contact is closed, even though the contact 274 may, in themeantime, have opened.

The normal condition of the protective circuit when the apparatus isready to receive the impulse necessary to deliver a piece of tape isshown in Fig. 12. Closing of an a contact will in this condition of theprotective circuit be without effect as contacts 274 and 276 are open.The corresponding [2 contact will next be closed by further pressure onthe key. This will close the circuit through the coil of relay whichreceives power from the rectified voltage conductor 242 by way of thewire 28%, and normally closed contact 282 of the protective relay toground. The protective relay also has a contact 28.4 which is connectedto the rectified voltage source 242. This contact 284 is normally closedwhen the protective relay is not energized as shown. The closing of.

the circuit through the relay 120 closes the contacts 0 and d aspreviously described. If at the time of the first pressing of the key,however, the protective relay 270 happens to be energized, then thecontacts 282 and 284 are open, the circuit through the relay 120 is notclosed and power is not supplied due to the open contact 284. Assuming,however, the start of a normal operation when the protective relay isde-energized, the contact 0 is next closed, and this prepares a pathfrom the regulated voltage source 244, and conductor 290 through theresistance appropriate to the key being actuated and through conductor294 leading to the thyratron.

Feeding and measuring cycle Closing of the d contact, through aconductor 296, closes a circuit through the winding of a relay 298 whichmay be termed the start relay. The start relay operates a contact member300 which in its up position closes a circuit from the A. -C. supplylead 224 through the winding of the feed solenoid 30, thereby initiating7 the feed Thestart'relay also opens the.- contacts 302' and :304landcloses --the contacts 306 and 307. The closingofthewontact 307 suppliesregulated voltage from conductor 244': to the conductor- 290, abovedescribed, and also initiates-:the;-application=of voltage of the anode25"L0f the thyratron through the:.c0nductor 308. The opening of -the'contact' 304' cutsout: the high-resistance 30-9 which islimiting-current flow to-the control electrode 254:: The opening ofcontact -302 2opens.the short circuit which has completely dischargedthecapacitor-218. Glosingof contact 306-connects the capacitor 218 withtherthyratron; The capacitor voltage-now starts to'build up and -aftertheinterval of time determinedhy the value' ofrtheresistance (122' or-126) the-main-gap of thethyratron will-break down and current-will flowthrough the: conductor 320 connected to the cathode 250. Theconductor320 is=connectedto-the winding of a second relay 322 whichmaybetermed the stop relay. This relay is arranged to close-contacts 324,274' in the protective circuit, and 326; andto-open'contact 327. Closingthe contact 274 energizesthe protective relay 270 and opens contacts282.-and.284.. Opening of contact 282 breaks the circuit through anyrelay 120 which has been energized thereby releasing such relay, and theopening of the contact284'alsobreaks the circuit through 2 the d contactofthe previously closed switch and thus through the-relays-298and' 332.Breaking of the circuit through-relay -298releases the contact member300 which returns'to'itslower position and prepares the circuit, so nfar-as -this contact isconcerned, from the cutter solenoid 34.Opening'of the contact 327 breaks the circuit through'the'feedsolenoid30 andthereby stops the'feed. At thesame-time-closing of the contact 324prepares the circuit-throughconductor-328 leading-to the cutter solenoid34. This'tircuit; however, is at this time broken by the contact'330'ofa delayed action relay 332. The latter isin series--with-the start relay298-. Uponbreaking-of the' circuit through'the relays -298'and332 asdescribed; and 'afterslightdelay-caused by theslow release of thedelayed action-relay 332, the contact 330 will close, thereby completingthe circuit through the cutter solenoid-'34=and causing the latter'toactuate the cutter to severthetape. The delayed action-relay '332prevents anypossibility of the cutting operation occurring until the-tapehas -had'-a chance to-come to a complete rest.

The momentary' discharge from-the thyratrorrenergizes the stop-relay-322and causes the latter to-close the contact 326 and thereby establish aholding circuit through-theconductor-340 and the normally closedmicro-switch 138 so thatthestoprelay and cutter relay remain energizeduntil the cutting-of the tape is completed whereupon the micro-switch isopened by the cam 128actuatedby the armature'of the cutter solenoid 34at somepoint in-its travel as described above. Until this occurs thec0ntact-274'is held'closed so that the protective relay 270 is energizedand the protective circuit is effective as above described. The openingof the micro-switch'by'the-cam 128marks the end of the cycle,de-energizing the stop and protective relays and placing the circuits incondition for the next operation.

It will be-seen that'the protective relay 270 becomes energizedtheinstant'that the stop relay 322 is actuated by;thefiring'ofthe-thyratron. Relay 270 will remain energized in any caseuntil the opening of the microswitch by the cam at the completion of thecutting stroke. It'willremain energized-after the opening of themicroswitch due to the closure ofthelocking contact 276 if any key isbeingpreslsed. While the contact 274 is closed.

In order to insure that each key or switch will deliver the-lengthoftape designated for it, calibrating means are desirableastheelements of each-timing circuit may differ somewhat-from:the-intended characteristics.

It-will be obvious that other arrangements of the toothed-wheels may; beused. A single wheel with no teeth-removed -Would -obviously deliver'thesame length- (as'predeterminedrby: the-dial 1 setting) at eachoperation. Ifm'orethan-two-1engths= were=required additional wheelswithwdiflerent numbers of-teeth-could be used provided the additional 1micro-switches zoperated thereby are con- I nectedtoswitchesimth'emachineset for delivering the difierent lengths ofatapearequ'ired.

Ifill'LLlSJdfiSlTfid tmdeliver but a.sin gle length of tape repeatedly;arsimplea switchlsuch as-the mercury switch shownrin PatentNo:.2,405,790 may beused, instead of i the toothed wheeliconstructionzThis may be connected 5 struction illustrated butrto cover the inventionbroadly in whatever formvits principles -may be utilized.

I claim;

1; In a tape serving machine having tape feeding means, tape cuttingmeans, a feed circuit energizing of which actuates said tape. feedingmeansto feed tape, a timing circuit operable to stop the feed of tapeand to actuatethe tape cutting means after a given interval of time,a:'series -of1electrical devices adapted to be selectively includedinsaid timing circuit to vary the time interval at'whichsaid .timingcircuit will function, a plurality'of switchesoperatiomof which startsthe tape feeding means, and completesthe timing circuit to start atimedinterval, each ofsaid switches inserting a differentelectricaldevice=into saiditiming circuitto vary the time intervalbeforesaidcircuit operates tostop the feed of tape and actuate-thecutter, a control device for actuating said switcheszinpredetermined=sequence so as to cause the delivery: of strips of tape ofdifferent lengths in; such sequence and means :toactuate saidcontroldevice'by removal of the-previously'fed strip of tape.

2. A tape serving-machine as claimed in claim 1 in which-the controldevice includes a plurality of Wheels havingdifferentnumbers of teeth,and switch operating: devices actuated insequenceby engagement with theteeth on the respective =wheels:

3. A tape serving-machine-as claimed in claim-2 in which' means: areprovidedfor rotating said toothedwheels step-bystep; saidmeans includingan element hav-- ing a-trigger constructed andarrangedtobe tripped uponremoval of apreviously feddength of tape from the-machine.

4. A-tape-serving-machine-as claimed in claim 3 inwhich the machine is:provided with means to hold the rear end of 'a previously fed strip inthe-machine until manually removed'and in-which the trigger is mountedin the'path of thetape; strip as it issues from the machine so as tocontact the strip-and be moved by such contact out'of active: positionbysaid issuing strip and to' beheld in-inactive position-by contact withthe rear end ofthe strip remaining inthe machine prior to manual removalof the-strip.

5. Inapparatus forfeedingmeasured strips of tape includinganintermittently-operable feed-device to feed thetape,-means 'to-actuate-' said device to feed the tape, tapecutting means, a' pluralityof timing circuits, any one-of which is selectively energizablecoordinately with said actuating-means, instrumentalities actuated bywhichever of said timing circuits is energized to stop the feedoftapeafter*a timedinterval and actuate said tape cutting'means; dialand pointer means for'adjusting the condition of-eaclrof said timingcircuits so as to vary the time of actuation'thereof-and thereby varythe length of the stripfed; and control means for controlling theactuation-of the tape feeding device and. timing circuits,

said-control means including a switch' -associated with.

each timing circuit, trigger means for actuating said switches mountedin the path of the tape strip as it issues from the machine and to beheld in inactive position by contact with a part of the strip remainingin the machine prior to manual removal of the strip, andinstrumentalities for connecting said trigger with said switches in apredetermined sequence so as, to cause the issuance of strips of tape ofdifferent lengths in said sequence.

6. In a tape dispenser, in combination, means to feed out a measuredlength of tape, tape cutting means positioned forwardly of the feedmeans, means spaced forwardly of the cutting means cooperating with afed and severed length of tape and responsive to the removal of asevered length of tape to feed out and sever a new length of tape, andcontrol means for the feed means constructed and arranged to cause tapestrips of difierent lengths to be delivered in a regular predeterminedsequence.

7. In a tape dispenser, in combination, means to feed out a measuredlength of tape, tape cutting means positioned forwardly of the feedmeans, means spaced forwardly of the cutting means cooperating with afed and severed length of tape and responsive to the removal of asevered length of tape to feed out and sever a new length of tape,comprising a contact member adapted to engage a previously fed stripbefore its removal from when the strip upon which the contact member isresting is removed from the machine whereby removal of said strip willcause said pawl to advance the ratchet wheel a step, a plurality oftoothed wheels mounted for move-' ment by said ratchet wheel each timethe latter is advanced, said toothed wheels having different numbers ofteeth, an electrical switch associated with each of said toothed wheels,means associated with said switches for closing the same each time atooth on the respective toothed wheel engages the same, and meansoperated by each of said switches for causing the delivery of adifierent specific length of tape, whereby different tape lengths willbe delivered in sequence depending u on the number and position of theteeth on said toothe wheels.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,293,974 Sullivan Feb. 11, 1919 1,919,652 Helsel July 25, 19332,219,650 Helsel Oct. 29, 1940 2,405,790- Krueger Aug. 13, 19462,408,363 Beckman et a1. Oct. 1, 1946 2,748,861 Von Stoeser June 5, 1956

